Local Elections in Morocco: A Socialist-Islamist Alliance in the Offing
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Socialist Driss Lachrag (Left) and Islamist PJD leader Benkirane talking alliance
It has been a hard climb for the moderate Islamist PJD party in Morocco. Despite large support from the masses, in particular among the poor, the disenchanted and the ultra-conservatives, the PJD suffered a major setback following the May 16, 2003 terrorist attacks that rocked Morocco.
Although the PJD had apparently nothing to do with the terrorist acts, its political opponents used the event to nullify any progress it has made up to that point. Among the most vocal critics of the PJD were its natural competitors, the socialists of the USFP party. With strong feelings among its opponents and part of the middle and upper classes that it had some link to the terror movement, at least through indirect ideological support, the PJD was forced to scale back its ambitions in the 2003 local elections, and had to postpone its objective of controlling the large municipalities in urban areas. This year, a sense of normalcy hints that the PJD is looking to make fresh gains and recover whatever the losses of the past. Even more interestingly, its traditional foes could become allies. Leaders of the PJD and the socialist party USFP have been making public statements and media appearances arguing that an alliance between the leading leftist wing political organization and the conservative religious movement is not impossible. Continue here.
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